Seven people were killed and numerous others injured during a stampede at a music concert in Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, on Saturday, authorities reported.
The tragic incident occurred at the 80,000-capacity Stade des Martyrs stadium, located in the heart of Kinshasa, where Mike Kalambay, a popular Congolese gospel singer, was performing. The concert, which was part of a larger event organized by the management company Maajabu Gospel, drew an estimated 30,000 attendees. According to Kinshasa Governor Daniel Bumba, the stampede happened during the peak of the concert.
State television RTNC reported that among the seven fatalities, some victims were children, and several others injured were admitted to intensive care units for treatment. The exact number of injured individuals was not immediately clear, as the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Authorities did not comment on the precise cause of the stampede. However, the local music management company organizing the event suggested that the chaos erupted when “security services tried to neutralize some troublemakers.” This intervention is believed to have triggered panic among the concertgoers, leading to the deadly stampede.
Eyewitnesses and videos from the scene depicted large crowds gathered outside the stadium, pushing against barricades as they waited to enter. Once inside, attendees were seen rushing toward the center stage, contributing to the disorder.
Footage broadcasted from the event showed a chaotic scene with people attempting to flee the densely packed venue. The situation rapidly deteriorated, resulting in the tragic loss of life and numerous injuries.
The Stade des Martyrs has a history of such incidents, often attributed to poor crowd control measures and inadequate safety protocols. Just last October, a similar stampede during a music concert at the same stadium resulted in the deaths of eleven people. The recurrence of such tragedies underscores the urgent need for improved safety and crowd management strategies at large public events in Congo.
Authorities are now conducting a thorough investigation to determine the factors that led to the stampede and to hold accountable those responsible for ensuring the safety of the attendees. As the investigation progresses, more details are expected to emerge about the events that led to this latest tragedy.
The Associated Press
